Edward williams



Tirelire UNITED S'rnrns lurrnnur` @einen EDWARD WILLIAMS, or BArAvIm-.Nnw vonk.

iMcnoi/EMENT mRAuRoADRAiLs.

Specificationforming part of Letters Patent No. 115,142, dated May 23, 1871.

`Nature of the Invention. This invention consists in the combination, construction, `and arrangements of certain parts, all of which will hereinafter more fully be set forth.

General Description.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a cross-section, and Fig. 3 a perspective, view of the joint-piece.

A represents the base of the rail, and B the head. These parts are united by bolts c c,

which pass through the depending lips ofthe former and slots b b ofthe latter. This allows a vertical movement of the head upon the base as the wheels pass over. The interior of the head is rolled Awith a central longitudinal tongue, G, and a groove, c, on each side of it. The top of the base is also rolled with a central groove, K, and side tongues p p. The tongues and grooves of the two parts correspond and intermatch, and t together as pressure is applied on top. A packing, D, of rubber or equivalent material, rests in groove K under tongue Gr, and similar packings E E `in grooves a c above tongues p p. I thus not only have a central layer of rubber, but also side ones, which give a wide elastic bearing to the head of the rail. These packings, it will be noticed, are separate and detached, and the side ones are situated above the center one. The feature of novelty in this part of my invention is the special formation of the contact surfaces between the head and base, consisting of the tongues and grooves Gr K and c a 19 p, whereby the packing may be placed therein in separate layers, forming a broad elastic surface.

I am awarethat rubber packing has before been' used, butin a single body, and simply lying between the nat top of the base and corresponding flat surface of the groove in the head.

By the use of separate and disconnected packings a more uniform and elastic tread is produced, as, when' the pressure comes irregularly on one side, the tendency is not to roll `or twist the packing over, as would be the case if in a single piece, but to press down vertically. This arrangement also prevents the pinching and cutting of the packing that occur by the twist which occurs if used in a single body.

Another important advantage is that the tongues and grooves, by intermatching and fitting together, brace the rail more strongly against lateral or twisting strain. This is especially true when the contact surfaces are made broad, as in my improved form.

In order to employ a continuous packing at the joints of the rails, and prevent cutting of the packing at that point, I employ an improved joint-piece, connecting the ends of the rails, as follows: In the rolling of the rails I split or cut the ends, and insert, for a suitable length, a plug, which, in crosssection, is in dovetail or wedgin g form, but dat both on the upper and under surfaces, the latter being the widest. In the act of rolling the iron of the rail closes around the plug, and when complete the plug is drawn out, thus leaving a perfect socket of dovetail form.

In laying the rails in place the joint-piece C isplaced in the contiguous sockets, thus form ing a complete joint. The tread upon the rail causes the meta-l to close more and more closely around the joint-piece, thus always keeping it tight, and preventing any cutting of the packing, which would be caused by leaving the ends of the rails loose. H H are fish-plates, which serve to strengthen the top part or cap of the rail, and, at the same time, serve as washers for the longitudinal bolt c.

I am aware that jointepieces bridging the ends of the rails have before been known, but not of dovetail form, embedded in the surface, so as to be self-tightening. I am also aware that steel strips of dovetail form have been rolled into the tops of the rails to take the tread, but not forming joint-pieces.

I simply claim a joint-piece constructed and applied in this manner, and combined with the interposed packing, as before described.

What I claim, and desire to secure by LetV ters Patent, isn

b, the Whole constructed substantially as set forth. y

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

^ EDWARD WILLIAMS,

Witnesses:

R. F. Osoroon, G. WILLM. MIATT. 

